Carrie Barrieau
Carrie Barrieau exemplifies modern leadership, grounded, encouraging, and deeply human. A dynamic executive leader, sports nutritionist, trainer, and accomplished powerlifter, Carrie has built a career defined by her ability to align operational excellence with personal empowerment. With a background in business management and human resources, she brings a rare blend of strategic insight and individualized coaching to every role she undertakes. Currently serving as Department Head of Partner Support, Carrie leads high‑performing teams with a focus on growth, accountability, sustainable and high‑impact results.
At the core of Carrie’s leadership philosophy is a belief that motivation opens the door, discipline sustains momentum, and perseverance carries people through challenges but always grounded in service. She is a direct yet fair leader who sets clear expectations, holds teams accountable, and invests deeply in their development. This approach ensures organizational results are achieved without compromising individual growth. Carrie believes that when people are challenged honestly, supported intentionally, and recognized for their contributions, they consistently rise beyond what they once thought possible.
Beyond the corporate sphere, Carrie’s commitment to excellence is powerfully embodied through athletics. As a record‑holding powerlifter, she has earned multiple state and national titles, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to health, resilience, and personal mastery. Carrie has raced several 70.3 IronMan triathlons, a feat that requires an uncommon level of mental fortitude, endurance, and relentless discipline. As a sports nutritionist and trainer, she has extensive experience coaching clients in strength training, women’s health, and performance optimization—helping women reclaim confidence in their bodies and capability in their lives.
Carrie’s passion for empowering others extends far beyond fitness. She is a co‑founder of ACT4E, a community program that has served the San Jose area for over 17 years, supporting veterans and unhoused families. She also played a pivotal role in developing the first street outreach program for StandUp for Kids Silicon Valley, where she mentored unhoused youth ages 12–24, including teenage mothers, helping them leave the streets and build new futures. Her belief in early intervention and discipline through sport has also led her to volunteer as a middle school cross‑country and track coach, advocating for youth athletics as a foundational tool for confidence, structure, and lifelong resilience.
Driven by a calling to support the holistic healing of women, Carrie founded EnHIKEnment, a coaching practice rooted in physical strength, emotional well‑being, and personal transformation. Each year, she donates her time to a woman who cannot afford coaching but is committed to reclaiming her health. She also pays it forward within the powerlifting community by sponsoring one athlete annually—covering all meet fees and expenses to remove barriers to participation. Additionally, Carrie serves as a church sponsor and coach for women in 12‑step programs, walking alongside them through recovery, growth, and renewal.
Each year, Carrie brings her story directly to local high schools through her compelling presentation, “Confessions of a College Dropout: When the Unconventional Meets the Purpose‑Driven Path.” With honesty, strength, and conviction, she challenges students to rethink failure, not as an ending, but as a redirection. Carrie reminds young people that setbacks, struggles, and unexpected detours do not define who they become. Instead, she leaves them with a message that resonates long after the room goes quiet: at any moment, "we each hold the power to rise, to choose purpose, and to write a future far greater than our past."
Carrie does all of this while being the mother of two, powerfully redefining what it means to lead, succeed, and grow. She strives to be a living reminder that becoming a mother does not mean stepping away from goals, ambition, or her identity as a woman. Carrie wants her children to see that it is possible to pursue a life that fuels the soul, to grow into who they are meant to become, and to build families if they so choose, without limitation.
Carrie Barrieau’s career and service reflect the profound impact of leadership lived with integrity and intention. She is a leader who believes deeply in uplifting others—helping them see their potential, recognize their strength, and step fully into who they are capable of becoming. In every arena she enters, Carrie demonstrates that true leadership is not defined by achievement alone, but by the ability to leave people stronger than you found them.
• Stanford Business Graduate School of Business - High Potential Women Leaders Program
• Certified Sports Nutritionist
• Certified Trainer
• CA State and National Record Holder
• Certification in Stress Management
• Certification in Women's Health
• Certification in Mindfullness
• United States Powerlifting Coalition State & National Record Holder
• USPA State & National Powerlifting Record Holder
• County of Santa Clara Certificate of Commendation in recognition of focus and attention to need of homeless children and youth
• United States Powerlifting Association (USPA)
• United States Powerlifting Coalition
• Co-Founder, ACT4E – Active Community Thoughtfulness for Everyone
• Founder, EnHIKEnment – Mind-Body-Spirit Coaching Program
• Volunteer Cross Country & Track Coach, Joseph George Middle School
• Church Sponsor & Mentor for Women in 12-Step Programs
• Various community initiatives including drives for unhoused families, veteran housing, and youth support programs
What do you attribute your success to?
When I look back on my life, what once felt like deep darkness and struggle has become a profound source of gratitude. Much of my success was built on experiences that, at the time, society might have labeled as failures, but those moments shaped me into someone who lives fully and authentically. I’ve learned that when you let go of shame, allow yourself to be vulnerable, and are willing to share your story, you free up the space to truly live, grow, and develop into who you’re meant to be. I believe deeply that if you commit to something and are willing to do the work, you can accomplish far more than you imagine. I approach challenges with the mindset that I am capable and relentless, not because it’s easy, but because I’m willing to be uncomfortable, to struggle, and to keep going. Being willing to be bad at something new, to push through the hard parts, and not quit has been essential to every meaningful achievement in my personal and professional life. Perseverance, discipline, and grit have been the throughline.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received wasn’t given in words but was in actions. I had the opportunity to work under Christian Colanitni, the Founder and Managing Partner of a law firm, whose impact on me was profound. Regardless of title or role, he treated everyone as an essential part of the firm. He made time for people, listened thoughtfully, invited ideas, and led with respect and humility. Watching him lead taught me the kind of leader I wanted to become, one who builds trust, values collaboration, and makes people feel seen. To this day, I haven’t encountered another leader who left such a lasting impression, and I’m deeply grateful for the years I spent learning simply by observing him in action.
The most powerful advice I’ve ever been given in words came from my IronMan coach, Debbie, who said very plainly, “You cannot choose the weather on race day.” That lesson has stayed with me because it applies far beyond sport. In life and in leadership, we can’t control circumstances around us, but we can control how we show up. You race your race, show up, stay the course, and lead with intention through whatever comes.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell women leaders, and especially young women, that growth comes from embracing challenges, trusting your abilities, and reframing setbacks as opportunities to evolve. Success doesn’t have a single definition; it’s deeply personal and should be guided by your values, passions, and aspirations. Take up space. Own your worth. Embrace the uniqueness of who you are, because there is profound power in being the one and only you. Lean into your strengths, do the work, and remain confident in your ability to achieve meaningful, lasting impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, faith, perseverance, and service to others are foundational to both my professional and personal life. I place a high value on empowering people, building trust, and leading with kindness, while also prioritizing health, resilience, and giving back to the community. It is deeply important to me that people feel seen, heard, and respected, because that is where trust and true engagement are built.
I am also committed to striving to be a better version of myself every day. There is always something, no matter how small, that can be done better, and I believe growth comes from remaining open to learning. I learn constantly from my team, and I take pride in bringing forward the strongest possible work to represent my department and the firm with excellence. Each day presents an opportunity to lead with intention, improve our impact, and choose how we show up. Ultimately, it all comes down to choice, and I choose to lead with purpose.